Busyness doesn’t always equal productivity

Productivity is what sets your career in motion. However, people often confuse being busy with being productive. In the marketplace, no matter how busy you are, the truth is that you will be judged on your effectiveness.

Emails that go unanswered and phone calls left to be returned are usually placed in the category of being too busy. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with a workload that never ends, coupled with the notion that the busier you are, the more value you bring to an organization. In some cases, it can almost be a professional badge of recognition that busyness somehow equals productivity.

The two-fold problem with being busy is that it can be a state of mind as well as having an increased workload. Knowing the difference between being busy and being productive can transform your career growth.

What are the habits of highly productive people?

They know how to prioritize their day. Start out your day each morning with a focus on you by eating a healthy breakfast, exercise or meditate on what you want to accomplish today.

They know when to multitask. Multitasking can be helpful if you use it wisely; however, in the race toward being efficient, it can be overused. Giving yourself a few minutes to clear your head before entering a meeting and eliminating distractions helps you stay focused.

They know where they are spending their time. Productive people are aware of time and know when they are most effective. If your day seems to be flying past you without much progress being made, consider auditing your time by noting your activities. The results can be shocking your heavy work load could be filled with more distractions than realized.

They take a lunch break. When you stay busy long enough without a mental break, there is a tendency to lose focus and lack the energy needed to be efficient. Granted, eating lunch at your desk is sometimes a necessity; however, if you regularly eat lunch at your desk under the guise of being busy, you end up creating some unproductive habits that can hinder your success.

They ask good questions to help clarify goals. Knowing the exact time frame, expectations and objections helps you plan more efficiently, minimizing guess work.

They constantly practice being productive. Being productive requires good habits, which take time and practice. Just like with exercise or healthy eating, you consciously make a decision to choose.

They focus on quality versus quantity. In “More Time for You,” authors Rosemary Tator and Alesia Latson view the source of productivity as a quality issue. “Productivity isn’t the quantity of things that you complete; it’s completing the things that deliver the most quality for you, such as setting aside time for family with no distractions.”

Don’t let being busy lull you into missing out on opportunities to grow and accomplish your career goals.

How did you learn to tell the difference between being busy and being productive?